In Kolkata, leading educationists and healthcare professionals recently united to assert that basic education and healthcare must be treated as universal rights, not mere market services. They emphasized the urgent need for robust public systems to tackle escalating inequality and the increasing threats posed by climate change.
The seminar, aptly titled ‘Education and Health for All: Promises and Challenges,’ was a collaborative effort by the Pratichi Trust and Climate24. Academics, doctors, and researchers engaged in deep discussions regarding the systemic issues plaguing India’s health and education sectors, attributing these challenges to policy stagnation, pervasive commercial interests, and persistent social disparities.
During the discussions, esteemed academic Pabitra Sarkar challenged conventional definitions of literacy, arguing that being ‘illiterate’ doesn’t necessarily mean being ‘uneducated.’ He contrasted the qualitative education in social conduct prevalent in earlier, often illiterate, generations with a perceived decline in modern civic and moral values. Sarkar also voiced concerns about dwindling student numbers in some West Bengal schools, decreasing college enrollments, and a diminishing interest in fundamental sciences. He called for an educational system deeply rooted in scientific thinking and focused on nation-building.
Veteran educationist Bhaskar Gupta proposed revitalizing the Kothari Commission’s neighborhood school model. This vision advocates for a mandatory public school in every locality and a significant increase in public spending on education.
Further discussions saw Subhra Das and Sabir Ahamed of the Pratichi Trust highlight their micro-solar training program as a successful example of integrating education with sustainable development goals.
Adding a crucial perspective, eminent physician and CPI(M) leader Fuad Halim shed light on the severe health implications of climate change. He pointed out that rising night temperatures might be accelerating the life cycles of dengue mosquitoes, while warmer climates and increased salinization in coastal areas pose serious, widespread health risks.